When is it appropriate to share faith at work?: One nurse's story
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As nurses, we wear many hats. To name a few: we are caregivers, providers, assessors, comforters, encouragers, teachers, an ear to listen. Are we to be evangelists or preachers? In my opinion, no... Read More

I just had surgery and my Doctor told me he prays before all his surgeries and asked me to pray, too. I gladly obliged. I said "You pray for me and I'll pray for you" Now, I am a Christian and to me this was totally appropriate, and welcomed. I thought it was kinda cool, actually. Just thought I'd share. I also live in the "bible belt". I come from the northeast, where this kind of thing would be very taboo, but here it is generally accepted I find.

Had you and your surgeon discussed religion before this took place? Did he know that you shared his beliefs? I respect that you felt that it was a appropriate and I'm glad that everything worked out fine for you.

Personally I find his approach a little dicey, if my surgeon were to tell me that he prays before surgery I think that I'd wonder if he lacks confidence in his abilities and those of his OR team.
I'd probably be asking anaesthesia for a little extra midazolam

I generally think that potentially controversial topics such as politics and religion are best avoided in the workplace and in the healthcare provider - patient relationship.

I totally agree. Money is another issue I never go into with a patient. A patient once said to me "Can you do me favor? Here are my car keys. Can you go into my car and get the money that is in the ashtray and bring it to me?" I wouldn't touch THAT situation with a ten foot pole.

This morning I was thinking of a typical conversation I have had with Christian patients.
Patient (smiling): "Are you a Christian?"
Me (smile back): "Yes, I am"
Patient: "He is good, isn't He?"
Me: "Yes, He is. He has always been there when I need Him"

That's about the jist of it. Or a patient may start that way and ask for prayer because they are scared, going into surgery, etc. I never have big philosophical discussion. It is usually short and sweet like the above example. Like we are talking about an old friend.

Had you and your surgeon discussed religion before this took place? Did he know that you shared his beliefs? I respect that you felt that it was a appropriate and I'm glad that everything worked out fine for you.

Personally I find his approach a little dicey, if my surgeon were to tell me that he prays before surgery I think that I'd wonder if he lacks confidence in his abilities and those of his OR team.
I'd probably be asking anaesthesia for a little extra midazolam

I generally think that potentially controversial topics such as politics and religion are best avoided in the workplace and in the healthcare provider - patient relationship.

Actually, no. I do live in the south though, (originally from north east) and it seems to be much more widely accepted here to discuss religion and God. I didn't mind, as I believe in the power of prayer, but I can certainly see how others would be bothered by it.

Wow, new to this board. Shocked that, even separated out into a board specifically for spirituality in nursing, nurses are being attacked for their spiritual beliefs. Would the Chrisitian nurses have more freedom to share with each other in a forum specifically for Chrsitian nurses? Or would people invade that with their negativity as well?

Christian nurses are not being attacked.....it is about the appropriateness of discussing religion with patients. Controversial subjects like this are better left out of your conversations with patients.

Wow, new to this board. Shocked that, even separated out into a board specifically for spirituality in nursing, nurses are being attacked for their spiritual beliefs. Would the Chrisitian nurses have more freedom to share with each other in a forum specifically for Chrsitian nurses? Or would people invade that with their negativity as well?

if you are new to this site you will find many people with many belief systems and many opinions. Some people are confrontational, others not so. I look at the posts as an education for me into humans and their inter beings. What you perceive as negativity may be a jolting way of trying to figure out the whys. Why would some think sharing faith is right while others find it to be wrong. I have not taken it as negativity towards any religion, Christianity in particular. We do not have huge amounts of posters who are not Jewish, Christian, agnostic or atheist. i would welcome more input from other religions. Baha'i, Islam, and other religions are rarely shared here. I wish more would share. Knowledge of other religions is very helpful to all nurses.

I don't think I would want to see any religion boxed in. Who would gain more knowledge that would help them to understand others? One of the best reasons I see for the forums we have and also one of the tools nurses need, to be able to deal with all people one is asked to care for.

I am an atheist and I do not tell my patients that. As for that smile and glow thing, I get that all the time due to my personality. I am rarely "mean" or "strict." As an EMT, I was told that I looked like an angel because of my smile all the time.

I work in a Catholic hospital but I do not share my faith. I will consider praying with a family if they ask me to, but I do feel like it is a hollow gesture inside because I am an atheist. We do have chaplains that are familiar with many different religions.

I think if nurses pray with their patients that ask them to, it would be okay. It doesn't bother me. However, coworkers that drag religion into everything kind of bothers me.

I have a tremendous respect and understanding for patients when they engage in spiritual practice and I encourage it if the cues, as you've mentioned, are there. Spirituality, religion, faith, prayer etc is extremely healthy and healing for people. I am a spiritual person, but also an atheist.

There was a funny situation the other day when a preacher was standing over a young girl with an obvious fracture and impressive deformity of her arm. He was praying for her with the family, asking God to guide the doctors to provide competent care, see her through this tough time, and help her find relief from her pain. I was glad to see him there helping me and the docs guide this nice family through this stressful time in their lives. It was kind of humorous though about the pain relief. I was standing there with my hands together, quietly respectful, with 4mg of morphine and zofran in hand. I was thinking "Hello.... preacher dude, need to administer God's pain relief... can we speed this along LOL".